Steam nozzle iron

ABSTRACT

The invention discloses a flash boiler steam iron having separate primary and secondary steam chambers formed by the soleplate and coverplate of the iron and using steam valve means between the chambers wherein the valve means is selectively movable to control steam flow sequentially through the primary and secondary chambers in one position and solely through the primary chamber in another position. The iron has nozzle means thermally connected to the soleplate and directed forwardly and downwardly toward the fabric whereupon steam is controlled by the valve structure to pass through the soleplate or to discharge a curtain of visible steam ahead of and around the nose of the iron.

UnitedStates Patent 91 Davidson [451 Mar. 27, 1973' [s41 STEAM NOZZLE IRON William E. Davidson, Ontario, Calif.

[73] Assignee: General Electric.Company, Bridgeport, Conn.

22 Filed: May 15, 1972 21 'App1.-No.: 253,427

[75] Inventor:

521 U.S.Cl ..3s/77.s3

[51] Int. Cl. ..D06f 75/06 [58] Field of Search. ..38/77 .1, 77.5, 77.8, 77.83

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,041,756 7/1962 Foster "3 8/775 3,606,691 I 9/1971 Davidson et a1... ....-38/77.83 3,626,615 12/1971 Zuccarello ....38/77.83 2,716,297 8/1955 Hoecker ....38/77.83 3,001,305 9/1961 Savdoson ....38/77.83 3,183,610 5/1965 Finlayson et a1. ..38/77.5 3,599,357 9/1969 Gronwick ..38/77.83

3,224,122 12/1965 Jepsonetal ..38/77.83

Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson Attorney-Lawrence R. Kempton et al.

57 3 ABSTRACT The invention discloses a flash boiler steam iron having separate primary and secondary steam chambers formedby the soleplate and coverplate of the iron and using steam valve means between the chambers wherein the valve means is-selectively movable to control steam flow sequentially through the primary and secondary chambers in one position and solely through the primary chamber in another position. The iron has nozzle means thermally connected to the soleplate and' directed forwardly and downwardly toward the fabric whereupon steam is controlled by the valve structure to pass through the soleplate or to discharge a curtain of visible steam ahead of and around the nose of the iron.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures STEAM NOZZLE IRON BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION water tank in the iron above the soleplate and use water valve structure to provide controlled water drippage into a steam boiler or generator where it is flashed to steam and directed out apertures in the soleplate to steam the article. Powered or manual spray attachments have been added to such irons to supply a fine spray and lend versatility to the iron. The powered valve is connected to the steam valve means and normally biased so the steam valve means is in the other position for steam flow solely through the primary chamber. Thus, the main object is to provide a 1 balanced pressure flash steam iron with a novel valve 7 system ,to direct steam out the soleplate or divert it in a spray form uses continuous steam pressure in a balanced pressure steam iron to assist in squirting an t atomized mixture of water and steam from the sprayer.

In such a spray, holding the operating button down provides a continuous spray since it 'is' powered by steam pressure. A typical balanced pressure power spray iron is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,041,757 of common assignment. Some prior art irons have used valving structure to divert the steam from the soleplate to power the spray attachment for either a mixture of water and steam or steam alone. These involve a diverting valve to direct the steam out the soleplate of the iron or out the spray. While prior art patents have shown valve diverting means, none have provided an extra steam outlet at the'forward portion of the iron to provide a curtain of steam around the nose whereupon live visible steam may be delivered to the fabric ahead of the hot iron for more effective use as wellas through the hot soleplate as it rests on the fabric. The visible steam ahead of the iron is advantageous for difficult creases to steam and relax them before the hot soleplate passes over the fabric.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly described, the invention is directed to either a balanced or non-balanced pressure steam iron of the type having a heated soleplate with a flash steam generator and a .water tank in the iron. For I convenience, a balanced pressure iron is described. An onoff water valve is connected to start and stop a metered visible form ahead of the. iron onto the fabric.

' BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. '1 is an elevational view, partially in section and broken away, showing general parts of an iron with the invention; 7

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-section along line 2-2 of FIG. 5 showing the steam control valve;

, FIG. 3 is a partial exploded perspective including the coverplate bottom showing the separate chambers;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the top of the coverplate broken away to show steam flow; and

FIG. is a partial cross-sectional view on line 55 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a typical balanced pressure flash steam iron including a soleplate l0 having a plurality of steam discharge ports such as 12 and 13 and an outer shell 14 connected in any suitable manner to handle 16 all in known fashion. The invention is shown as applied to a balanced pressure steam iron for convenience although it .will be apparent that it is applicable to other irons including flooded boiler as shown in Us. Pat. No. 3,156,054 of common assignment as well as to spray irons whether powered or manual. In accordance with conventional practice,

' soleplate 10 may be cast from a suitable material, such stantially uniform heat distribution is provided when t the ironis'turned on.

flow of water from the tank through an orifice into the generator. A coverplate overlies a portion of the soleplate and defines'a primary steam chamber with the soleplate and connected discharge ports are disposed through .the soleplate. A separate secondary steam chamber forward of the primary chamber is defined by means includingvthe coverplate and soleplate and there is provided steam valve means between the chambers with the valve being selectively movable to control steam flow sequentially through the primary and secondary chambers in one position and solely through the primary chamber in another position. A nozzle means is provided contiguous with the nose of the iron to discharge a curtain of steam ahead of the iron when the steam valve means is in the one position-Suitable actuating means on the handle separate from the water The iron includes means for generating steam by providing water tank 20 with a vertical outer tube means '22 in the forward portion for housing various operating mechanisms. For steam, heated soleplate 10 has a flash steam generator 24 formed therein under control of an on-off water valve structure generally indicated at 25 and including button 26 to start and stop a metered flow of water from the tank through orifice 28 onto the heated soleplate, the water flashing into steam which is usually distributed under coverplate 30 and out ports12 onto the fabric. Since the iron is a closed system by virtue of water valve 25 closing the fillhole 31 at seal 27 as shown, balance tube 32 connects the steam generator and tank interior permitting water to flow through orifice 28 into generator 24 when steam button 26 is in the on or up position as shown and the iron is steaming. The balance tube 32 may be mounted on a steam dome 34 that has open access to generator 24 and is secured to coverplate 30.

In accordance with the invention, it is desired to divert the generated steam from ports 12 toselectively and separately discharge forwardly and downwardly toward the fabric being ironed ahead of the iron so the steam is visible .as it enters the fabric to relax it and remove stubborn creases before the hot soleplate passes over the already-steamed fabric in the normal manner. While it is possible to convert a typical spray iron to handle steam and direct it forward and downwardly, the present invention provides an improved and direct arrangement for doing this in a better manner as will be seen. Coverplate 30, as best seen in FIG. 3 showing the coverplate bottom, is designed to overlie a portion of the soleplate and define a primary steam chamber 36 therewith above the generator 24. In order to direct visible steam forwardly and downwardly onto the fabric ahead of the hot soleplate, the coverplate and soleplate together also define a separate shaped secondary steam chamber 38 forward of primary chamber 36 as seen in FIG. 3.

To prevent the steam from condensing, it is desired to keep it hot and to this end, the coverplate 30 may be conveniently extended forward of the secondary chamber to form, with the soleplate, a nozzle 40 that is contiguous with the front of the iron and designed to discharge a curtainof steam around the nose portion of the iron. Any suitable nozzle means around the nose of the iron arranged to receive uncondensed steam is within the concept of the invention. However, by extending the coverplate it is possible to use structure already present and to form the nozzle means thermally connected as by suitable fastening means at 37 to the soleplate as shown in FIG. 1 and, in this manner, thus prevent condensation of the steam since the nozzle inner portion is substantially at soleplate temperature.

In order to control the selective exit of steam from ports 12 or nozzle 40, there is provided a steam valve means between the chambers and generally indicated at 42 and operated by a separate button 44 on the handle. Through suitable internal linkage, the button is connected to actuate lever 46 that is suitably pivoted by means not shown farther to the right in the iron as seen in FIG. 1 and shaped to conform to the internals of the iron as seen in FIG. 3. The steam valve means is a stemmed valve member 48 that is actuated by lever 46 as in FIG. 2 and is selectively movable. One valve position is the down position shown in FIG. 1 as forced by button 44 and the other position is with the valve up or the normal position under the bias of spring 50 as shown in FIG. 2. 2

Valve member 48 is disposed to operate in a recess 52 that is connected by passage 54 to primary chamber 36 to form an extension thereof and valve member 48 is selectively movable by reciprocating in recess 52. In order for the steam to exit through soleplate ports 12, button 44 is left untouched so spring 50 biases valve member 48 to its up or other position shown in FIG. 2 whereupon generated steam in primary chamber 36 is connected to the soleplate ports by passing solely through the primary chamber, passage 54 and the recess extension 52 of the chamber and out the soleplate ports as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 illustrates direct access of the steam to forward port 12. In order to'simultaneously reach additional side ports 13 along the side of the soleplate it is necessary to provide groove 56 directly in the soleplate and extend it over an arc overlapping the edge of recess 52 as seen in FIG. 5. Thus, the steam will enter the recess 52, flow down into groove 56 and under the ridge 58 and up into the distribution passages 60 and out side ports 13 as seen in FIG. 5 whereupon steam exits through soleplate ports such as 12 and 13 with the valve up in the FIG. 2 position.

When it is desired to divert the hot steam to nozzle 40 and close off the soleplate ports, button 44 is depressed and valve member 48 moves to one selected or seated position as shown in FIG. 1 to block passage of steam into groove 56 and forward port 12. Since valve member 48 is seated against the soleplate it covers both port 12 and groove 56 as shown in FIG. 1. In this down or one position, the steam now rises through another groove 62 and into a small chamber 64 in the top of coverplate 30 as best seen in FIG. 4. This chamber is provided with drilled passages 66 having direct access to separate secondary steam chamber 38 connected to the nozzle whereupon the steam exits nozzle 40. Since the shape of nozzle 40 is contiguous with the nose of the iron, it is expedient to extend the coverplate forward of the secondary chamber 38 as seen in FIG. 3 so the steam exits directly along the edge of the iron and, as shown, is a curtain of steam around the nose.

It will be seen that the entire primary chamber is formed partly by steam generator 24 and steam chamber 36 since the steam generator actually forms the lower part of chamber 36. On theother hand, secondary chamber 38 is a separate chamber forward of chamber 36 and receives its steam or is fed from primary chamber 36. Thus, valve means 48 in the one position of FIG. 1 requires generated steam to flow sequentially through primary chamber 36, up through groove 62 into chamber 64, down passages 66 and into secondary chamber 38 and out nozzle 40. Because of this long sequential flow and because the nozzle 40 is an extended portion of coverplate 30 and is thus thermally connected to the soleplate and coverplate the steam does not condense and is free of water droplets and is thus visible ahead of the iron where it can be used directly on stubborn creases to relax them before the hot soleplate passes over them. This sequential flow through the chambers is interrupted by placing valve 48 in the other position of FIG. 2 where groove 62 is blocked to prevent passage to nozzle 40. Instead, the steam now exits through ports 12 and 13 as previously explained whereupon in this other position of valve 48 the steam flow is solely through the primary chamber.

It is convenient to have button control 44 distinct from and operable separately from steam button 26. With the power system described it is only necessary to hold button 44 in its one depressed position shown in FIG. 1 for a constant flow of steam out nozzle 40. When it is in its other or released position of FIG. 2 the nozzle 40 is cut off and steam exits through the soleplate in the normal manner.

It will be seen that the steam valve means is thus selectively movable to direct steam out the soleplate for normal ironing or to cut off the soleplate and direct the steam as a curtain of steam forward and downwardly of the nose of the iron where it is visible and available for relaxing the fibers of stubborn creases before the hot soleplate passes over the fabric. The thermal connection between the nozzle and hot soleplate cooperating with the sequential flow avoids any condensation. With the invention the iron may be used off the ironing board if desired to apply steam from nozzle 40 to remove wrinkles from garments on hangers without using the soleplate for removing wrinkles by conventional ironing.

While there has been described a preferred form of the invention, obvious equivalent variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practised otherwise than as specifically described, and the claims are intended to cover such equivalent variations.

I claim:

1. A steam iron having a heated soleplate with a flash steam generator formed therein and a water tank within the iron, an on-off water valve connected to start and stop a metered flow of water from said tank through an orifice into said generator,

a coverplate overlying a portion of said soleplate and defining a primary steam chamber therewith, steam discharge ports through said soleplate and connected to said primary chamber,

means including said coverplate and soleplate defining a separate secondary steam chamber,

steam valve means between said chambers and selectively movable to control steam flow sequentially through said primary and secondary chambers in one position and solely through said primary I chamber in another position, nozzle means on said iron thermally connected to said soleplate and coverplate and directed forwardly and downwardly toward the fabric being ironed,and

means connecting said nozzle and secondary steam chamber. I 2. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the iron is a balanced pressure steam iron.

3. Apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said secondary chamber is disposed forward of said primary chamber, and

said coverplate extends forward of said secondary chamber to form said nozzle with the soleplate.

4. Apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said steam valve means is connected to actuating means on said handle, and

means normally biasing said steam valve means into said other position for steam flow through said primary chamber.

5. Apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said water tank has means closing it to ambient pressure when the iron is steaming and having a balance tube connecting the steam generator and the tank interior.

6. Apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said steam generator is part of said primary steam chamber and said secondary chamber is separate and fed from said primary chamber.

7. Apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said nozzle is formed contiguous with the nose of said iron to discharge a curtain of steam around the nose when said valve is in said one position.

8. Apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein said steam generator is part of said primary steam chamber and said secondary chamber is separate and fed from said primary chamber.

9. Apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said steam valve means is connected to actuating means on said handle operable separately from said water valve, and

spring means biasing said steam valve means into said other position for steam flow through said primary chamber.

10. Apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein said steam valve means is connected to actuating means on said handle operable separately from said water valve, and

spring means biasing said steam valve means into said other position for steam flow through said primary chamber. 

1. A steam iron having a heated soleplate with a flash steam generator formed therein and a water tank within the iron, an onoff water valve connected to start and stop a metered flow of water from said tank through an orifice into said generator, a coverplate overlying a portion of said soleplate and defining a primary steam chamber therewith, steam discharge ports through said soleplate and connected to said primary chamber, means including said coverplate and soleplate defining a separate secondary steam chamber, steam valve means between said chambers and selectively movable to control steam flow sequentIally through said primary and secondary chambers in one position and solely through said primary chamber in another position, nozzle means on said iron thermally connected to said soleplate and coverplate and directed forwardly and downwardly toward the fabric being ironed, and means connecting said nozzle and secondary steam chamber.
 2. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the iron is a balanced pressure steam iron.
 3. Apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said secondary chamber is disposed forward of said primary chamber, and said coverplate extends forward of said secondary chamber to form said nozzle with the soleplate.
 4. Apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said steam valve means is connected to actuating means on said handle, and means normally biasing said steam valve means into said other position for steam flow through said primary chamber.
 5. Apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said water tank has means closing it to ambient pressure when the iron is steaming and having a balance tube connecting the steam generator and the tank interior.
 6. Apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said steam generator is part of said primary steam chamber and said secondary chamber is separate and fed from said primary chamber.
 7. Apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said nozzle is formed contiguous with the nose of said iron to discharge a curtain of steam around the nose when said valve is in said one position.
 8. Apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein said steam generator is part of said primary steam chamber and said secondary chamber is separate and fed from said primary chamber.
 9. Apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said steam valve means is connected to actuating means on said handle operable separately from said water valve, and spring means biasing said steam valve means into said other position for steam flow through said primary chamber.
 10. Apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein said steam valve means is connected to actuating means on said handle operable separately from said water valve, and spring means biasing said steam valve means into said other position for steam flow through said primary chamber. 